Almost everything went Waskom's way when the two teams last met on Oct. 23. But West Rusk enters the state quarterfinals with an elite Class 3A Division II defense that will be kept in its best condition if, and only if, the Raiders can sustain their drives.

This is a big game for senior running back Nick Ballard. He ran for 95 yards against Waskom a month and some odd days ago in a game shortened by a running clock in the fourth quarter, but West Rusk struggled to sustain its drives from the get-go. If Ballard has a good day running the ball, the Raiders will be in much better position to not only produce offensively but also limit the damage Waskom two-way star Chan Amie will do going the other way.

Running against the Wildcats is easier said than done though. Amie and fellow linebacker Mike Reason won All-State honors last season and the front is further strengthened by defensive lineman Keileon Johnson, a safety on last seasons state championship team, at the end position.

As a team, Waskom has 250 tackles for negative yardage -- headlined by Johnson's 47 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

West Rusk will need to be innovative to work over the Wildcats' front. That being said, a new dimension has opened for this game.

Don't be surprised if: The Raiders' passing game gives Waskom a new dynamic to worry about. The Oct. 23 game between the two teams was marred by heavy rain. The meeting was delayed twice due to lightning and halftime was eliminated because it was nearly 11 p.m. by the time the second quarter expired -- which limited adjustment time in what was already a 20-0 game. Most importantly, neither team could pass effectively. West Rusk completed zero of eight passes.

Raiders quarterback Dee Starling has nearly doubled his passing numbers since the Waskom game and will be trying to get close to 2,000 yards this season through the air Friday. Weather is forecasted to be as good as it gets for a December game. If Starling clicks with key receivers D.J. Hicks and Breyon Thurman, the trio will open up things for the running game without asking Ballard to deliver a performance out of the ordinary -- 7.4 yards per carry and 166.5 yards per game.